Construction Award – Award of Excellence: 461 Dean, New York City

Delivering the World’s Tallest Volumetric Modular Apartment Building

461 Dean is the world’s tallest volumetric modular apartment building. Its success hinged on careful pre-planning of construction activities, as well as the introduction of new construction means and methods. The use of modularization and prefabrication was critical to the success of the project. Modules were constructed off-site – and completely outfitted with structural, architectural and MEP components – at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and transported to the site. In the corridor modules, MEP racks were pre-hung and transported inside the module. The stair modules included installed metal stairs and fire protection standpipe.

To ensure the timely delivery of the modules to the site, a transportation plan was devised. Between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., no more than four modules were escorted to the site using a series of “low-boy” trailers. Once on site, the modules were staged, inspected and subsequently hoisted into place, where they were bolted together. Additionally, a Tuned Liquid Mass Damper was installed, to reduce structural vibrations and naturally occurring sway during high winds.